EMBARGO 00:01 WEDNESDAY 1 JULY

New poll finds voters support sanctions in response to Hong Kong security law

British people support tougher stance on China across a wide range of issues

A new poll for the China Research Group finds that voters support a tougher stance on China.

Coming as Beijing imposes a new security law on Hong Kong, the poll also finds that people would
support targeted sanctions in response to the new law.

Asked about the new security law and protests in Hong Kong:

• 49% agreed that: “The UK Government should put sanctions, including travel bans and
assets freezes, on the Chinese government officials involved in imposing the new law”, while
only 10% disagreed.
• By a margin of 61% to 11%, voters backed the idea of allowing Hong Kong citizens who also
hold a British National Overseas passport to come to the UK.
• By a margin of 57% to 5% voters agreed that, “Companies like HSBC, a bank which does
business in China, Hong Kong and the UK, should not be supporting the new law”

Looking more broadly at issues related to China, the poll found that by a margin of ten to one (72%
vs 7%) voters agree that “We should be prepared to pay a little more for things which are critical to a
nation, like medical equipment and telecoms equipment, if it means being less reliant on foreign
imports in times of crisis.”

By a margin of 49% to 17% voters agree: “We should not use Huawei, a Chinese Government owned
company, to supply sensitive parts of our next generation mobile phone networks.”

Only 12% agreed that, “I would be happy for a Chinese company to build a nuclear power station in
Britain,” while 62% disagreed.

By a margin of 55% to 8%, voters agreed with the statement that “Government should be able to
block investments in British universities if it is concerned that they will lead to the loss of key
technologies”

Looking at the international situation more widely, the poll found that 58% agreed that “Democratic
countries should work more closely together to counter the economic and strategic influence of
China,” while only 7% disagreed.

Tom Tugendhat MP said: “This poll suggests that voters want to see a clear-eyed approach to China
that protects both our economic interests and our values. People in Britain want Government to
stand up for our strategic interests, whether it’s ensuring we have secure access to vital medical
equipment, or safeguarding new technologies from being ripped off by Beijing.

Neil O’Brien MP said: “People strongly support the action the government has taken to protect BNO
passport holders in Hong Kong, and would back the government to go further with sanctions to
defend human rights there. People are not impressed by firms like HSBC trying to cosy up to Beijing
by backing a repressive new law.”

Notes for Editors

1. Populus surveyed 2,104 people online between 17th and 18th June 2020

2. A table of key results is below, and tables with full details and crossbreaks are attached.
Q.1 Do you agree or disagree with the following
statements? Agree Disagree
The UK Government should treat the proposed
takeover of a British business by a Chinese company
no differently from a takeover from a democratic
country 26% 39%
The rise of China has been good for jobs and living
standards in Britain overall 16% 31%
We should be prepared to pay a little more for things
which are critical to a nation, like medical equipment
and telecoms equipment, if it means being less
reliant on foreign imports in times of crisis 72% 7%
I would be happy for a Chinese company to build a
nuclear power station in Britain 12% 62%
Democratic countries should work more closely
together to counter the economic and strategic
influence of China 58% 7%
We should not use Huawei, a Chinese Government
owned company, to supply sensitive parts of our next
generation mobile phone networks 49% 17%
China is our ally 11% 41%
Government should be able to block investments in
British universities if it is concerned that they will lead
to the loss of key technologies 55% 8%

Q2 Which of the following comes closest to your

view?
Much of China's recent economic success is built on
ignoring international norms that protect workers'
rights and the environment, and on stealing other
countries' ideas and technology. We should be
sceptical about doing more trade with China unless it
agrees to compete more fairly 60%
China has achieved rapid economic growth mainly
through the hard work of its people. As a result we
have access to cheaper goods and economic
opportunities that we've never had before. We should
be encouraging more trade with China not trying to
restrict it 18%

Q.3 There have recently been demonstrations in

Hong Kong against a new national security law
which the Chinese Government intend to impose
on the territory from Beijing. Critics say the new
law is aimed at stifling anti-Government protests
and would mean the end of Hong Kong's
autonomy from mainland China. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with each of the
following? Agree Disagree
Companies like HSBC, a bank which does business
in China, Hong Kong and the UK, should not be
supporting the new law 57% 5%
The UK Government should allow Hong Kong
citizens who also hold a British National Overseas
passport to come to the UK 61% 11%
The UK Government should put sanctions, including
travel bans and assets freezes, on the Chinese
government officials involved in imposing the new
law 49% 10%